The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-20
of our resources, if we would escape
future financial embarrassment.
PENITENTIARIES.

DC observed by reference 10 tne re-
port of the superintendent, that there
are now on hand 5000 convicts, and
the number is being augmented al a
rapid ratio. Our present cell accom-
modations will not provide for more
than 1600,and this number,it is alleged,
cannot find employment in the walls
so as to render them sefsupporting.
We are also informed by the super
intendent that to build and properly
equip prisons, shops, etc, for the em-
ployment of convicts at indoor work
will require at the lowest estimate an
expenditure of $3.50 per capita or an
aggregate of Sl,3SS, 250 for the accom-
modat,on OF this number in the walls.
1t may be said that the necessary
prisons can be built by conYict labor,
which would measurably reduce the
cost of their construction. But OH the
other hand, with the lights before us,
we cannot lose sight Of the fact that,
at the present rate of increase in our
prison population, by the time these
prisons we're constructed and fur
nished for the successful employment
of those now to be provided for the
demand would be created for addi-
tional ones.
In view of these facts, is it not obvi-
Gus that to attempt to put into imme-
diate practical operation the much de-
sired object OF confining all the con-
victs inside the prison walls would in
flict burden upon the taxpayers too
grievous to be borne?
And desirable as it is to COZ fine all
convicts within the walls, we must
deal with facts as they are, and not as
we would have them. Convicts
should not be kept in idleness at the
expense of honest people, but should
contribute by labor at least TO their
own support.
| would respectfully suggest that we
foster and encourage as far as practi.
cable the industries already established
in our penitentiaries, so as to make
them sell-supporting, and gradually,
without imposing too heavy burdens
upon the people establish and construct
additional prisons with other indus
tries, until the State can take care of
all prisoners undergoing punishment.
And as proper inauguration of this
purpose, an
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
for youthful criminals has become an
urgent necessity and should not be
longer delayed, and this will require
expenditure of public
money in addition to the annual cur
rent expenses of the government.
Such an institution would immediate.
ly relieve of some 400 or more of this
class, and thereby make room for the
same number of older convicts.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The declaration of principles
and policies sanctioned by the people
at the recent election demands of those
with the making and execu
tion Of the laws that these lands should
be sold to actual settlers. And until
thus sold even agricultural lands
should be temporarily leased, while
the grazing lands should be leased un
conditionally for short terms.
And our own experience IN later years
admonisr you to caution in your delib-
erations and enactments If you would
avoid confusion and perhaps failure.
In the matter of leases of grazing
lands the Lessee is entitled to abso-
lutte security under the terms of hi~
lease, and the State as lease is jointly
interested in granting this stability as
an encouragement to leases. The
rental shou d be fixed by law, and
the application for lease should be adj
dressed to the commissioner of the
general land Office, who should be
with the duty of executing
all leases and the collection of u !
rents. This officer should also be
vested with authority to withdraw
from lease all the public lands Of any
particular county when satisfied that
Ihese lands are in demand ior the pur-
poses of actual settlement.
PROHIBITION AMENDMENT.
There are many conscientious, hon
EST advocates of prohibition as a REM
,dy for the admitted evils of intempe'-
ence in our state who bel eve that this
Is ono of the great practical quest ons
which should be decided by an appeal
% the ballot box, while there are 9th
us equally conscientious and patriotic
who do not believe that real temper
,nce can be decreed, created or pro-
iuced by q y forcing process under
he operation of prohibitory enact
nents
In consider ng this question 1t is
proper we should bear in mind that in
,ur country the reople are recognized
ls the origin and seat Of political pow
IT. and that constitutions flow from
hem instead concessions to them-be-
N simply a rule of action defined by
for themselves. l therr-